Advice for Housebuilders

There is no doubt that we are in uncharted waters and that our industry is going to face challenging times ahead. However, we are still seeing visitor traffic to our development websites and we are still taking calls, so there is still interest out there.

While we are not expecting to secure any new reservations during this lockdown period, many potential purchasers will be home, possibly with more time on their hands and they may be taking the opportunity to do their research and to create a shortlist of homes that they wish to view, once the restrictions have been lifted.

In order to capitalise on this audience, there are a number of steps that housebuilders can be taking now, to ensure they are in the strongest possible position when we return to some level of normality.

Here are a few of our top tips:

Make sure your listings are up to date
The likes of Rightmove have reported that they are still experiencing web traffic and are receiving enquiries (as are we), albeit at significantly reduced levels, so it’s important that all of your listings are kept up to date. Make sure you remove any outdated info on incentives/events etc and that you are promoting each home to it’s very best effect. Rotate images, ensure descriptions include all of the home’s USPs and upload any videos you have.

Virtual Tours & Imagery
If you have any virtual/video tours of your homes/the wider development/local area, make sure they are all easily accessible form your website, as well as on all of your portals and social media channels etc. Upload all the suitable images you have available too. The more of a feel you can give someone of your development, the better.

Respond to Enquiries
Your sales suites may be closed but make sure that any sales lines have been diverted to a mobile, or a number that will get picked up – and make sure your email enquiries are being responded to promptly. Any enquiry will need to be nurtured like never before, you can’t afford to miss a trick. Many of our clients take advantage of our Connections service, where we have a dedicated whisper line for each development. All calls and emails are picked up by one of our sales team seven days a week – no enquiry is ever missed or neglected.

Communicate!
With potential customers, existing customers, colleagues and suppliers. Use your website and your social channels to let people know how they can get in touch and alert them to any changes. Speak to suppliers such as IFAs and Estate Agents to confirm how your customers can reach them - and share this information. You may wish to contact new residents and provide links to relevant advice – such as the financial assistance being made available to homeowners or you may want to offer residents the opportunity to sign up to an email group, where residents get in touch, share information and advice.

We are in constant contact with our customers and clients and will be doing all we can to assist during this difficult time. If you need to get in touch with the Stubbings team you can call 01628 482276, email: sales@stubbingsltd.co.uk or visit www.stubbingsltd.co.uk

Take care of yourselves.